CES: Samsung Bridges Cellphone/Headphone Gap

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CES: Samsung Bridges Cellphone/Headphone Gap

One of my biggest gripes with some music cellphones is the fact that they force you to use Bluetooth headphones, which are more expensive, less comfortable, and worse sounding than the high-end headphones many music fans prefer.

Music fans with A2DP (high-quality stereo audio) Bluetooth cellphones who want to get in on the fun of taking calls while listening to music without giving up their favorite pair of headphones will appreciate Samsung's YP-T9B MP3/video player (2GB or 4GB).

First, you plug your traditional headphones into the YP-T9B just as you would with any other MP3 player. With the device is paired with your cellphone, and as long as you're within 30 feet of the phone while listening to the player, you'll be prompted to answer calls from the YP-T9B' screen whenever one comes in. One click of a button and you'll hear your caller's voice in both channels of your headphones.Since those lack a mic, Samsung included a one on the player itself so you can hold a conversation.

I tested this out and was able to talk to the Samsung booth babe without even picking the player up off the table, so the mic is evidently sensitive enough that you don't have to hold it up to your mouth in order to talk. The phone integration is the coolest thing about the YP-T9B, but it's also worth pointing out that the batter is rated for 30 hours of audio or 6 hours of video, comes in black, purple, and pink, and is small enough to slip into a pocket (Samsung's press materials lists the device's size as 16.34" x 12.4" x 7.68", which is waaaaay off… at least they're better with devices than they are with the English measurement system).